"Words From The Front" Live Reading At Westport Community Theatre Starkly Illustrates Ukraine War
On Friday, March 7th, a live reading of "Words From The Front" was presented to an audience of about 60 people at the Westport Community Theatre at Westport Town Hall.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
"WORDS FROM THE FRONT," a poignant new work by local playwright Nancy A. Herman and co-writer Lynda Sorensen, delves into the very personal and immediate impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Drawing upon an extensive collection of real-time messages exchanged between Herman and her Russian friends, the piece captures the evolving narrative of the war through the lens of personal experiences. It also uniquely interweaves the story of Herman's daughter, Olivia, who connects with her birth cousin, Andrey, a Ukrainian soldier. Their communication, facilitated by Google Translate, reflects the harrowing realities of displacement and conflict as Andrey transitions from seeking shelter for his family to taking up arms. This innovative play serves not only as a chronicle of friendship and family but as a powerful commentary on the human cost of war.
The audience settled in to watch the performance, and as it began, they were transported to Ukraine, listening intently as the moving exchanges of text and video messaging revealed the stark realities of the three-year-long war. Each scene unfolded with poignant stories, capturing the harrowing experiences of soldiers on the front lines and the heart-wrenching impact on their families and friends back home. The emotional weight of the narratives created a palpable sense of empathy in the theater, as those witnessing the performance connected with the raw suffering and resilience of individuals grappling with the horrors of conflict. The haunting images and personal testimonies resonated deeply, leaving the audience reflecting on the profound consequences of war on human lives.
Words from the Front (WFTF) was conceived in February 2022, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since the conflict began, the authors have made several adjustments to the original text to reflect the rapidly evolving situation, including significant events such as the death of Alexey Navalny and the attempted coup by the Wagner Group. From the initial performances, the authors had hoped that WFTF would soon become a "period piece," a reflection of a bygone era following a return to peace in the region. Unfortunately, this has yet to materialize. The authors were influenced by ongoing turmoil and unprecedented challenges we face in our own country which now compel them to reevaluate WFTF in the context of our changing realities. They grapple with complex questions: What does it mean to advocate for peace in Ukraine when our own government appears to be undermining Ukrainian interests? What does it signify to champion democracy in Ukraine while our own freedoms feel increasingly threatened? Although these questions extend beyond the original scope of WFTF, the authors invited the audience to remain after the performance for a discussion on these pressing issues.
Above (l. to r.) Program cover artwork, two members of the audience, Westport Artist Mark Yurkiw who has worked tirelessly to advocate for and to gather resources to send the the war-torn nation, including Westport’s sister city, Lyman, and Katya Wauchope, President of Ukraine Aid International, a Westport-based non-profit that provides humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian frontline communities. Next, author Nancy A. Herman introduces the audience to the details of the reading about to be performed. Westport Community Theatre Director Sam Mink speaks to the audience at the conclusion of the event.
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More About Words From The Front: The word-for-word exchanges presented in Words from the Front illuminate the dismay and fear of my Russian friends, affected by the war, in contrast to Andrey's courage and optimism as he fights to defend his country and protect his family. Our performance piece also includes a video of my interview with a Ukrainian couple living in Connecticut, whose son Stas is fighting for Ukraine. In addition, a slide show containing original photos and footage runs throughout. ""WORDS FROM THE FRONT" is a theatrical work by local playwright Nancy A. Herman and co-writer Lynda Sorensen, drawing from a real-life collection of messages exchanged between Herman and her Russian friends throughout the ongoing conflict. These digital conversations, which began with the onset of the invasion, capture the profound dismay and fear experienced by those in Russia as they navigate the turmoil. In a parallel narrative, the piece showcases the correspondence between Herman's daughter Olivia, who was adopted from Russia, and her birth cousin Andrey, a soldier in Ukraine. Their exchanges highlight Andrey's courage and determination to defend his homeland while providing a window into the conflicting emotions of individuals impacted by the war. Additionally, the performance includes a video interview with a Ukrainian couple residing in Connecticut, whose son Stas is actively fighting for Ukraine, along with a slideshow of original photos and footage that enrich the narrative. This multi-faceted presentation brings to light the human experience amid conflict, offering audiences a deeper understanding of the war's personal ramifications.
WCT Director Mink hands out sunflowers to the cast at the conclusion of the performance. As we have learned, the sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine and Ukrainians have a deep-rooted appreciation for flowers, which are an integral part of their cultural identity. Also, the sunflower is a major source of income for the nation which exports an average of 4 million tons of sunflower oil each year, nearly one half of the entire world’s production.
The cast of Words From The Front: Front row: Jacquie Carlsen, Leslie Jones, Katelyn Ferrari, Nancy A. Herman, Lynda Sorensen. Back row: Mark Yurkiw, David Donnelly, Richard Warren, Geoffrey Byrne, Joel Hagan, Matt Simmons. Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com